With a distance of more than 1 kilometers, Finland has a justified reason to raise a voice in the EU about the ingredients of European security. Total security is not just about armor and defensive capabilities. It is above all a good and smooth everyday life and doing business, the foundation of which is created in a functioning built environment.
Finland has a common border with Russia of 1 kilometers. Our conditions for maintaining border security are good, but in addition to a strong defense, it requires a strong and functioning society.
It is in the interest of the whole of Europe that, even in the vicinity of the long eastern border of the EU, the lights are on in homes and businesses, maintenance works and operations and competitiveness are maintained. It needs construction. Investments are needed for the green transition, the renewal of industry and society, and the development of transport links so that Finland becomes logistically a part of the West.
Succeeding in the investment competition with Finnish chips is not a given. The whole chain should be put in order: a predictable operating environment, smooth licensing practices and a functioning infrastructure from highways all the way to energy and water supply. Cheap renewable energy is also needed.
Even all this is not enough if the investments start to follow the state subsidies of hundreds of billions of large European states, which were decided to be allowed temporarily during the corona crisis. Instead of competition for state aid, the EU should build a joint funding program that responds both to competition for investments and to secure equal competitive opportunities for companies and projects in the internal market.
Finland must rise from the edge to the center
It is often said that throughout its history, Europe has been a project shaped by the common challenges of the region. The EU is also trying to shape itself as a solution to the continent's current crises.
Now there is a huge competitiveness challenge to be solved. We need to quickly find common answers to questions about security, geopolitical competition and climate change and wildlife loss.
Finland needs to rise from the edge to the center in these topical discussions. Our know-how and experience is valuable for the whole of Europe when solving crises. The strength and success of the northeastern corner of Europe is more clearly than before the strength and success of the entire continent.
In the history of Europe and the EU, it has often happened that others acted first, and we in Finland just reacted to the end result. Now if ever this needs a change. For example, if we don't purposefully develop our own hydrogen cluster, Sweden will do its part. In EK's green investment data window, there are about 260 billion euros worth of clean transition investment blanks to Finland. They don't come true by wondering.
In order to solve the current crises, Europe needs a big leap in energy efficiency and funding for sustainable investments. It's time to invest in safety and competitiveness.
EU elections 6–9 June are important for Finland. Remember to vote!
Extracts from RT's EU election goals
A leap in energy efficiency
- EU funding programs must recognize the role of the built environment as part of the renewable and
smart energy solution. For example, energy efficiency is effectively improved
by increasing repair construction. - Europe needs investments in sustainable energy production and circular economy
acceleration according to market conditions. We will ensure a functioning internal market and keep it closed
technology and material neutrality! - Ensuring efficient licensing procedures and competitive raw materials, clean
availability of energy and skilled labor.
Funding for sustainable investments
- Europe's crisis resistance and the success of the regions require investments in roads and
for energy supply. The EU's infrastructure investments must move towards the operational and
criteria emphasizing maintenance reliability. - Emphasis is placed on military mobility in the Connecting Europe funding. Let's take it too
road transport within the scope of EU funding for the accessibility of sparsely populated areas
to ensure - In order to combat crises such as climate change, the EU's financial programs must be
efficient and workable also in domestic market-driven sectors such as construction.
Find out more
You can find more infra-themed blog posts From INFRA ry's own blog. The updating of INFRA's blog ended in the summer of 2024, after which the writings will only be published as part of Rakennusteollisuus RT's blog.
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